Between harsh winters and fog that doesn’t seem to want to lift, living in Maine can come with some hardships. People often ask why (and how!) Mainers do it. We all know it’s a mix of some pride and probably stubbornness, but those are certainly not the only reasons. Mainers know that living in Vacationland comes with some pretty awesome privileges. Here are just some of sweet benefits of living in Maine.
- This one probably goes without saying…
Jennifer C. / Flickr But, LOBSTER.
- Having Acadia National Park right in our backyard.
geoliv / Flickr Maybe not literally. But, having the area’s only National Park is a pretty special distinction.
- Having access to everything under the sun, without having to use eBay or Craigslist.
Uncle Henry’s / Facebook Mainers have Henry’s Swap or Sell It Guide to help find anything and everything. You won’t find this down south and we’re pretty proud of that.
- Having local access to the world’s most sustainably farmed mussels.
Bangs Island Mussels / Flckr In May 2015, Outside Magazine published an article titled “The Piscivore’s Dilemma,” urging you seafood lovers to make the smallest impact on the environment without giving up meat.
- Having access to over 3,166 islands off the coast.
suckamc / Flickr If you visited one a day, it would take you almost 9 years to see them all! And, did you know that only about 1,200 Maine coast islands have an acre or more? 600 comprise 95% of the island acreage.
- Going on a hike at the right time of year means being able to pick the best wild blueberries you can find.
kcarver / Flickr Blueberries might grow other places, but there’s nothing better than slogging through a difficult hike and pulling out your containers from home to load up!
- Understanding the true meaning of “beautiful day.”
off-the-road / Flickr Other states are sunny, green and blue, but not many endure the winters that a good, hearty Mainer does. It makes summer days like this even more special.
- Being forced to slow down every once in a while.
jeffgunn / Flickr Wild turkeys, moose and deer might all decide to take a stroll through your neighborhood just when you were hoping to leave.
- Being able to see the first light of a USA sunrise.
H.L.I.T. / Flickr But, exactly where this first sunrise is found has been a bit contested. There are three places that claim have the first view - Lubec, Mars Hill and Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. It seems that just where you see the sunrise first depends on the time of year. From late March to mid-September, you’ll want to head to Mars Hill for first light. But, from mid-September through the first week of October you should head to Quoddy Head. If you want to work for your view and see it from Cadillac Mountain you have some more time. Be there between mid-October and early March and you’ll be greeted by America’s first light.
- Being closer to Africa than any other state!
By Michael DeRamo - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6226492 Quoddy Head State Park in Maine is the closest point in the US to Africa. Specifically, Safi Province in Morocco.
- Being the end of the Appalachian Trail.
jsstylos / Flickr There’s no other peak in America like the peak of Katahdin after months of hiking north.
- Understanding that winter might be long, but nothing beats a day spent sledding outside.
jeremympiehler / Flickr Oh, what fun.
- And, the most important is calling this beautiful place home.
kenlane / Flickr
Take a minute to laugh at the great state of Maine and some of the harder things about living here with these 18 totally true and brutally honest statements about Maine.
Jennifer C. / Flickr
But, LOBSTER.
geoliv / Flickr
Maybe not literally. But, having the area’s only National Park is a pretty special distinction.
Uncle Henry’s / Facebook
Mainers have Henry’s Swap or Sell It Guide to help find anything and everything. You won’t find this down south and we’re pretty proud of that.
Bangs Island Mussels / Flckr
In May 2015, Outside Magazine published an article titled “The Piscivore’s Dilemma,” urging you seafood lovers to make the smallest impact on the environment without giving up meat.
suckamc / Flickr
If you visited one a day, it would take you almost 9 years to see them all! And, did you know that only about 1,200 Maine coast islands have an acre or more? 600 comprise 95% of the island acreage.
kcarver / Flickr
Blueberries might grow other places, but there’s nothing better than slogging through a difficult hike and pulling out your containers from home to load up!
off-the-road / Flickr
Other states are sunny, green and blue, but not many endure the winters that a good, hearty Mainer does. It makes summer days like this even more special.
jeffgunn / Flickr
Wild turkeys, moose and deer might all decide to take a stroll through your neighborhood just when you were hoping to leave.
H.L.I.T. / Flickr
But, exactly where this first sunrise is found has been a bit contested. There are three places that claim have the first view - Lubec, Mars Hill and Cadillac Mountain in Acadia. It seems that just where you see the sunrise first depends on the time of year. From late March to mid-September, you’ll want to head to Mars Hill for first light. But, from mid-September through the first week of October you should head to Quoddy Head. If you want to work for your view and see it from Cadillac Mountain you have some more time. Be there between mid-October and early March and you’ll be greeted by America’s first light.
By Michael DeRamo - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6226492
Quoddy Head State Park in Maine is the closest point in the US to Africa. Specifically, Safi Province in Morocco.
jsstylos / Flickr
There’s no other peak in America like the peak of Katahdin after months of hiking north.
jeremympiehler / Flickr
Oh, what fun.
kenlane / Flickr
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